Set the Mood: Chill

College is hard. That is a fact of life. Sometimes, a quiet night with some music is just the perfect way to relax. Below are ten albums to set a relaxing or enthralling mood. These are all perfect for a night on the couch alone with a tub of ice cream.

Sleep Cycle

By Deakin

As the title says, Sleep Cycle is a sleepy album, for the most part. It also ebbs and flows between different cycles. It perfectly mimics the passing of one dream to the next.

Person Pitch

By Panda Bear

Chill beats and simple, repeated lyrics are what populate Person Pitch. The album crafts an immersive, relaxing vibe. The album is akin to floating on a cloud.

Yellow House

By Grizzly Bear

Yellow House feels like one album-long song. The whole album is a relaxed and slow-moving piece. It is more intense than the above two, but it is an enthralling listen.

Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

By Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett writes extraordinary songs about ordinary things. The album is populated with allegorical songs about the beauty and horror in the mundane. It also helps that her lyrics are, at times, hilarious.

Illinois

By Sufjan Stevens

Illinois is a concept album about the state in its name. A wonderful folk-rock album, from John Wayne Gacy, Jr., to Abe Lincoln, the album explores the culture of the state both literally and figuratively.

Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes

By Thom Yorke

Much like Person Pitch, Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes is about setting a vibe. It is a tad darker than Person Pitch which makes it great for a rainy night indoors.

Give Up

By The Postal Service

A simple and almost cheerful look into heartbreak and depression, the instrumentals are sparse and usually upbeat. It is an odd album that is a treat.

Depression Cherry

By Beach House

Slow and dream-like are the best descriptors for Depression Cherry. It is perfect for after a long day at work. The album is akin to floating on a raft in a river.

Kind of Blue

By Miles Davis

Jazz is relaxing. Miles Davis is one of the most famous jazz musicians. Kind of Blue is one of the most well-known jazz albums. It is almost cliché to play this album on a slow and down night. It is a good cliché.

The Epic

By Kamasi Washington

Coming in at almost three hours, The Epic is a feat to sit through. It is a shame, because the album is suburb. It explores so many areas and styles of jazz. It is perfect to listen through when cooking and reading.